Baird writes, "There is a place for good-natured heckling in Australian sport... but there is nothing fuzzy about this. The line has been crossed."

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/it-must-stopThu, 30 Jul 2015 00:10:14 -0400"A line has been crossed."markdistefanononadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultWell as Mike Baird said on Thursday:
"Goodsey… I hope you feel the waves of support from the many thousands of supporters that have got your back. I can't wait for you to get back on the field. When you do, I'll be cheering loudly for you. And I won't be alone," said Baird."nonadultThe Nightmare Details Of A Child Sex Ring Which Has Shocked Policehttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/perth-sex-slave-ring?utm_term=4ldqpia
A 13-year-old girl was allegedly forced into sexual “servitude” by eight men, including the girl’s father.

The harrowing details of a child sex slave ring involving a 13-year-old girl, eight men (one of them the girl's father, another a Christian pastor) has shocked senior police detectives and horrified Australians.

Senior detective Glenn Feeney hosted an emotional press conference yesterday, outlining how the girl had been repeatedly raped, given alcohol and drugs to "stupify" her and filmed over the course of two years.

"Operation Ripstop involved the arrest of eight males between the ages of 35 and 47. They've been charged with a total of 503 charges," said Feeney.

Police then handed out the charge sheet for the men which showed the hundreds of charges and the long list of each men's alleged crimes against the girl.

BuzzFeed

"These charges include sexual penetration of a child under 13 years, indecently dealing with a child under 13 years, indecently recording a child under 13 years, distribution of child exploitation material, stupefying with intent to commit an indictable offense and sexual servitude of a child," he said.

Police said the girl's father (who could not be named because it could be used to identify the victim) organised the ring and had a friendship with the men - all who had jobs where they did not work with children.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/perth-sex-slave-ringWed, 29 Jul 2015 21:48:52 -0400A 13-year-old girl was allegedly forced into sexual "servitude" by eight men, including the girl's father.markdistefanononadultnonadultSenior detective Glenn Feeney hosted an emotional press conference yesterday, outlining how the girl had been repeatedly raped, given alcohol and drugs to "stupify" her and filmed over the course of two years.
"Operation Ripstop involved the arrest of eight males between the ages of 35 and 47. They've been charged with a total of 503 charges," said Feeney.nonadultnonadult"These charges include sexual penetration of a child under 13 years, indecently dealing with a child under 13 years, indecently recording a child under 13 years, distribution of child exploitation material, stupefying with intent to commit an indictable offense and sexual servitude of a child," he said.
Police said the girl's father (who could not be named because it could be used to identify the victim) organised the ring and had a friendship with the men - all who had jobs where they did not work with children.nonadultnonadult- The girl's father, 228 offences.
- Nicholas Beer, 163 offences.
- Ryan Clegg, 61 offences.
- Benjamin Clarke, 15 offences
- David Vollmer, 12 offences
- Troy Milbourne, 10 offences
- Mark Liggins, 10 offences
- Alfred Impicciatore, 4 offencesnonadultnonadultThe South African-based Acts Christian Church <a href="http://www.actschurch.co.za/#!untitled/c11cz">released a statement on its website</a> regarding David Volmer (also known as Dawid), who was a pastor in its congregation.
"We are shocked by the criminal charges against Pastor Dawid Volmer and cannot make any excuses for a minister of the gospel who should have known better," wrote Reverend Peter de Fin.
"These allegations to which Pastor Volmer has confessed, are a betrayal of the trust that people place in a minister of the church. We offer no excuses for such disgraceful behaviour."nonadultHe would also not comment about whether the mother knew of the abuse committed against the girl.
"She is safe and she is receiving the care that she needs, and that will continue."nonadult43 Straightforward Reasons Adam Goodes Is A Bloody Legendhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/goodes-in-the-blood?utm_term=4ldqpia
Cheer cheer, Adam Goodes.

Even though there's been some disgraceful booing of Adam Goodes in recent years it's pretty apparent that he's one of the greatest Australians of his generation. Like for a lot of his 365 games he's been heavily tagged.

Michael Dodge / Getty Images

And he's still been able to totally dominate for more than 15 years.

Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Kicking an eye-watering 454 goals.

Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images

Becoming one of the most thrilling and bruising players to ever lace-up and play Aussie rules.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/malcolm-turnbull-just-perfectly-trolled-the-speakers-expenseTue, 28 Jul 2015 19:47:51 -0400Oh heeeeeey, look at this lovely train to Geelong.markdistefanononadultnonadultOn Wednesday, the <i>Herald Sun</i> reported Bishop <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/index.html?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE150_a&amp;mode=breached&amp;dest=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/speaker-bronwyn-bishop-charged-taxpayers-to-attend-a-wedding-as-questions-asked-over-albury-trip/story-fni0fit3-1227460141952&amp;memtype=anonymous">had charged</a> the taxpayer for attending another wedding of a Liberal MP in Queensland.
It's the second instance where Bishop has been found attending the weddings of colleagues, just a week after prime minister Tony Abbott put her on "probation" over the scandal.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultTyler, The Creator Called Out A Feminist Activist On Twitter And The Results Are Not Surprisinghttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/an-odd-future?utm_term=4ldqpia
The rapper falsely blamed the woman for him being “banned from Australia”.

The rapper's outburst was a response to a petition launched by the activist, Coralie Alison, that calls for for the Australian government to block Tyler from entering the country.

Karl Walter / Getty Images

The petition points out that some of the rapper's lyrics include references to violence and rape, and quotes this from his song "French":

"F*ck Mary in her ass.. ha-ha.. yo, I tell her it's my house, give her a tour, In my basement, and keep that bitch locked up in my storage, Rape her and record it, then edit it with more sh*t"

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/an-odd-futureTue, 28 Jul 2015 00:10:33 -0400The rapper falsely blamed the woman for him being "banned from Australia".markdistefanononadultnonadultnonadultnonadultThe petition points out that some of the rapper's lyrics include references to violence and rape, and quotes this from his song "French":
<blockquote>"F*ck Mary in her ass.. ha-ha.. yo, I tell her it's my house, give her a tour, In my basement, and keep that bitch locked up in my storage, Rape her and record it, then edit it with more sh*t"</blockquote>nonadultnonadultThe petition concludes:<blockquote>On behalf of women and girls, and all who care about them, we ask that you place the safety of our female citizens before a recording artist with a criminal history, who wants to exploit women for profit and who will contribute to a harmful cultural environment for them. ...
We request that you act urgently to revoke Tyler the Creator's visa so that he cannot promote his misogynistic attitudes here. Please demonstrate that your Government is serious about addressing the scourge of violence against women by taking this action as a matter of urgency.</blockquote>nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadult"The department can confirm that Mr Okonma has a current visa application with the department, and that no decision has yet been made," said a spokesperson.
Touring company Frontier Touring told Triple J it is waiting for further information from the department, saying: "The Department for Immigration has raised issues with the visa application but it has not been refused and Frontier will update ticket holders as soon as more information comes to hand."
BuzzFeed News has asked immigration minister Peter Dutton's office about the progress of the rapper's application.nonadultnonadultThe Aussie Slur Against Adam Goodes That's Now A Memehttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/what-is-a-flog?utm_term=4ldqpia
And is it racist?

There is one Aussie slang word that continues to show up in the debate around Sydney Swans player and former Australian of the Year, Adam Goodes, and that word is “flog".

It's everywhere and it's used when people explain why they hate Goodes.

It's littered throughout Facebook comment threads.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/what-is-a-flogMon, 27 Jul 2015 21:45:25 -0400And is it racist?markdistefanononadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultThe debate reignited over the weekend when Goodes' teammate Lewis Jetta performed an Aboriginal war dance in response to the WA crowd's relentless booing.
The AFL has called for crowds to stop its mindless booing campaign against the two-time MVP, while Swans chairman Andrew Pridham called the jeering "100% racist".nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadult"It was originally a term appropriated by the usual suspects within the footy media as a slightly more acceptable way to call someone a wanker," said ABC writer Adam Collins.
"In its current application it basically means someone is deemed to be a shit bloke."
For those not understanding at this point... a "wanker" and "shit bloke" are both popular Aussie terms to label an undesirable, dodgy man.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultThere's no doubt Goodes has staged for the odd free kick but so has half the league. In the earlier days he copped no more than anyone else and it was definitely true most of the low level negativity was footy-focused.
Then he began to speak out on indigenous issues and a thread of racism crept in with some people although some was still footy related.
Being given Australian of the Year supercharged this. Not everyone liked what he said or agreed with it.
Not all the focus was racist but like all these things, it attracts a racist element. Like an open soft drink will attract wasps.
Now we have people booing him for footy reasons, racist reasons and because some are just following the crowd.
That's the real issue here, not why some people boo, it's that there's enough who do it for racist reasons to make it unpalatable. Even if you dislike Goodes for the purest of reasons, booing him puts you in bad company and that's reason enough to stop.nonadultnonadult"It's gone from meaning poser to take on a meme-like quality with Adam," said O'Reilly.
"Some use it in its original context but for others it's a nice convenient way to attack Goodes without actually using a racist term."nonadultnonadult"This is clearly an issue that he's concerned about and is sick of, and needed a couple of days (off)," said Longmire in a <a href="">press conference on Tuesday</a>.
"He's a very, very strong individual and he's able to go about his business on a week to week basis. Sometimes though, we can assume that it doesn't hurt, and it does."
"He's tried as hard as he can to try and move on, and we tried to address it in a way that we thought was appropriate at the time, but he's had enough of it."nonadultSome People Are Upset Another Aboriginal AFL Player Threw An Imaginary Spearhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/jetta-proud-joyful-passionate?utm_term=4ldqpia
It’s happening again.

The insane race debate over an Aboriginal goal celebration has reared its head again after Lewis Jetta performed the dance on the weekend.

Daniel Carson / Getty Images

During the fourth quarter against West Coast, Jetta kicked a goal and performed the dance made famous by teammate and former Australian of the Year, Adam Goodes.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/jetta-proud-joyful-passionateMon, 27 Jul 2015 02:04:15 -0400It's happening again.markdistefanononadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadult"He's a superstar of the game, a superstar for the Swans and fans need to show more respect for what he's done for the game," he said.
"All this booing stuff needs to be thrown out the window."
Goodes said he was proud of Jetta, adding, "We're in his country over here in Western Australia... he's definitely got the moves and did it a lot better than I did."nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadult"The public rejection of this racial division that Goodes now represents has prompted Lewis Jetta to make even clearer that this symbolic spear-throwing at (only) white supporters is actually an invitation to a race war - an inflammatory and threatening challenge that the AFL must stamp out fast before this gets out of hand," wrote Bolt on his <a href="http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/">blog</a>.
Mitchell <a href="http://www.3aw.com.au/radio/jetta-says-his-war-cry-was-in-response-to-crowd-booing-adam-goodes-20150727-gil0xc">labelled Jetta's dance</a> "provocative, confrontational, divisive and unnecessary," and the AFL needed to, "put political correctness aside and tell him so."nonadultnonadult"I think there has obviously been a campaign for some months now against one player and the booing has been going on for some time against Adam Goodes and I think we're at the stage where people don't even know why they're doing it," said McLachlan.
Booing of Goodes appeared to intensify after several instances in which the two-time Brownlow medallist called out racism. He pointed out a 13-year-old girl in an AFL crowd for calling him an "ape" back in 2013.
Goodes caused more controversy last year after seeing John Pilger's documentary "Utopia," <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/adam-goodes-lecture-lets-us-all-down/story-fni0ffxg-1226846319656">he said</a>, "Europeans, and the governments that have run our country, have raped, killed and stolen."nonadultnonadult"I think it says a lot about how far we have to go in Australia when a demonstration of Aboriginal culture such as this is described that way. It's a comfortable trope for white Australia i.e. the aggressive black man. Why not 'proud', 'joyful', 'passionate'?
We don't see this response to Inglis when he does the goanna which is curious. I think it's tied very closely to Goodes speaking some obvious truths about our people during his time as Australian of The Year. White Oz like us to play sport, paint pictures or dance nicely *and* shut up &amp; they support us.
Goodes breached that compact. Though I hasten to add what he said was hardly radical or controversial. It reflects how deeply uncomfortable much of Australia is with its brutal colonial history and how comfortable they are with the institutionalised racism. I loved to see people getting as upset about racist booing of Goodes as destruction of sacred sites and deaths in custody.
It's all connected."nonadultWe Slid Into Australia's Alternate Prime Minister's Twitter DMs To Ask Weirdly Specific "Would You Rathers"http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/bill-is-scared-of-little-duck-tony-abbotts?utm_term=4ldqpia
Exclusive: Australia’s first ever DM interview.

Meet Australia's alternate prime minister Bill Shorten.

Joe Castro / AAPIMAGE

The Labor leader loves his phone to keep up-to-date and text his MPs to crunch the numbers.

He was back at it over the weekend, marshaling his allies to significant votes on marriage equality and asylum seeker policy at his party's national conference in Melbourne.

BuzzFeed News thought that we'd ~slide~ into his Twitter DMs to interview him and get to know more about the man who would be Australia's next prime minister.

Like all politicians, Shorten has been criticised for avoiding tough questions. We decided it was only appropriate to put them in the most direct format: "would you rathers."

BuzzFeed

This is what happened...

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/bill-is-scared-of-little-duck-tony-abbottsSun, 26 Jul 2015 22:53:44 -0400Exclusive: Australia's first ever DM interview.markdistefanononadultnonadultThe Labor leader loves his phone to keep up-to-date and text his MPs to crunch the numbers.
He was back at it over the weekend, marshaling his allies to significant votes on marriage equality and asylum seeker policy at his party's national conference in Melbourne.
BuzzFeed News thought that we'd ~slide~ into his Twitter DMs to interview him and get to know more about the man who would be Australia's next prime minister.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultThere are several important differences between the Abbott government's policy and Shorten's:
- The ALP would only turnback boats coming from Indonesia
- It would end the media blackout of reporting boat arrivals
- It would also double the refugee intake to 27,000
Reflecting on Shorten's answer to the "would you rather" it appears he'd rather be prime minister with the government's controversial policy, than not be PM with Australia having the ALP's "more humane" approach.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultWe Held A Spelling Bee At The Labor Conference And Nobody Knew How To Spell "Palaszczuk"http://www.buzzfeed.com/alexlee/sydney-zoo-something-something?utm_term=4ldqpia
We got factional rivals Andrew Giles and Sam Dastyari to go head to head in the First Triannual Labor Conference Spelling Bee…And they cheated. A lot.

Member for Scullin, Andrew Giles is from Victoria's left. The MP made a name for himself this weekend when he moved an amendment to prohibit the party from turning back boats. His measured but passionate speech won him a lot of respect. Senator Sam Dastyari from NSW is a well-known member of the Labor Unity faction. He recently starred in the ABC's Killing Season, winning accolades for his excellent re-enactments of talking on the phone.

When Giles fronts up, Dastyari is outraged. "The whole thing's rigged! You've got this lawyer, this expert, up against a first generation migrant refugee from Iran!" he says.

"I love your shamelessness," shoots back Giles. "I can't believe that you are complaining about something being rigged."

They are both pretty hungover. We begin.

BuzzFeed

The first word? Humanitarian.

BuzzFeed

At least they still know how to spell it.

BuzzFeed

"Halal"

"George Christensen was talking to me about this just the other day," says Dastyari.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/alexlee/sydney-zoo-something-somethingSun, 26 Jul 2015 02:41:58 -0400We got factional rivals Andrew Giles and Sam Dastyari to go head to head in the First Triannual Labor Conference Spelling Bee...And they cheated. A lot.alexleenonadultThis Guy Broke Into Tears Over Australia's Asylum Seeker Debatehttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/this-man-started-crying-about-asylum-seekers-and-itll-make-y?utm_term=4ldqpia
I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!!!!

Meet Labor party member "Matthew" whose dramatic and tearful reaction during the party's asylum seeker vote nearly stole the show.

Mark Di Stefano

As Labor was controversially voting to allow a future government to turnback boats, Matthew stood up the back, crying and interrupting proceedings.

Tracey Nearmy / AAPIMAGE

"You're supposed to listen to us!" yelled Matthew from the bleachers.

Someone in the crowd told him, "calm down," and he snapped back, "I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!"

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/this-man-started-crying-about-asylum-seekers-and-itll-make-ySat, 25 Jul 2015 19:08:19 -0400I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!!!!markdistefanoadultnonadultnonadult"You're supposed to listen to us!" yelled Matthew from the bleachers.
Someone in the crowd told him, "calm down," and he snapped back, "I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!"nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultBuzzFeed News: Matthew can you just tell me why you are against turnbacks and why you are so upset?
Matthew: This is highly unpopular on social media. I haven't seen anyone say they are supporting turnbacks online. It's inhumane, it's against international law and it will be challenged in the High Court if they do attempt to do it. We should not be giving the public any more of a view that both parties are the same, we're not! But this shows a massive move to the right on immigration and we're vacating the field on this and we are making it a lot harder for activists to keep fighting against it. The membership are against it, there should have been a vote on that. People should put their names to this decision. They tried a procedural backflip instead of having to have that roll call. People on that floor wanted that count. It should have occurred. I want to see people put their names to this piece of history that just occurred in there.
Buzzfeed News: What makes you so upset about it?
Matthew: No accountability. If you're going to say you think turnbacks should be an option, I want you to put your name to it. I want to know what the exact numbers are. It seems to me there are some within the party who don't want you to know what the numbers are. Too much of what we do is driven from how the media spin it. And we should be more courageous than that.nonadultnonadultThis Popular Bill Shorten Meme Just Happened Again IRLhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/oh-bill?utm_term=4ldqpia
“I believe… (checks notes).”

If there's one meme that follows around Labor leader Bill Shorten it's this snappy gif from a Melbourne press conference.

During his all-important asylum seeker speech delivered at the party's national conference on Saturday, Shorten was caught declaring his beliefs and then checking his notes.

Shorten told the conference a Labor government would tow back asylum seeker boats in a move that has split the party on ideological lines.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/oh-billSat, 25 Jul 2015 01:49:46 -0400"I believe... (checks notes)."markdistefanononadultnonadultIt's regularly posted on social media by critics of the former union powerbroker who argue it's comical proof he doesn't stand for anything.
Well the Shorten meme has happened IRL again... at the worst possible time.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultThe Greatest Feminist Speech In Modern Australian History Has Been Turned Into A Tea Towelhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/whip-mens-butts?utm_term=4ldqpia
Do the washing up with the greatest feminist speech in modern Australian history.

The most popular item at this weekend's Labor conference isn't a selfie with Penny Wong or a Paul Keating cooking apron (which you can actually get)... it's a tea towel printed with the immortal words of Julia Gillard's "misogyny speech".

Mark Di Stefano

The women's fundraising group Emily's List Australia is selling the towels for $25 a pop on the sidelines of the conference.

BuzzFeed News was confused at the message it might be sending i.e. you could literally do the washing up with Gillard's famous feminist speech. So we asked them about it.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/whip-mens-buttsFri, 24 Jul 2015 02:49:11 -0400Do the washing up with the greatest feminist speech in modern Australian history.markdistefanononadultnonadultThe women's fundraising group Emily's List Australia is selling the towels for $25 a pop on the sidelines of the conference.
BuzzFeed News was confused at the message it might be sending i.e. you could literally do the washing up with Gillard's famous feminist speech. So we asked them about it.
"Oh yeah, the irony, it's hilarious right?" said Leonie Morgan from Emily's List Australia.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultLeonie Morgan said Australia's first female prime minister was one of the founding members of the group and helped write the its constitution.nonadultnonadultWatch Out Mining Billionaires Because Labor Just Adopted A 35% Tax On The Richhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/watch-out-mining-billionaires-because-labor-just-adopted-a-3?utm_term=4ldqpia
*cha ching*

Rich Aussies are in for a shock if Labor is elected with the party proposing a minimum 35% income tax on people who earn a salary of over $350,000.

Bloomberg / Getty Images

Senior Labor MP Anthony Albanese brought forward the proposal, known as the "Buffet Rule" to the party's national conference on Friday morning.

Tracey Nearmy / AAPIMAGE

"This proposal is the creation of a minimum tax rate levied on the total income of high-income earners," said Albanese.

"If adopted, wealthy Australians would continue to spend fortunes on accountants. But once they reached a certain rate - 35% is what was proposed in the United States - no further deductions could be claimed."

The "rule" is named after U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett who proposed adopting a minimum tax rate for high-earners to ensure people didn't avoid paying their fair share.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/watch-out-mining-billionaires-because-labor-just-adopted-a-3Fri, 24 Jul 2015 01:25:45 -0400*cha ching*markdistefanononadultnonadultnonadult"This proposal is the creation of a minimum tax rate levied on the total income of high-income earners," said Albanese.
"If adopted, wealthy Australians would continue to spend fortunes on accountants. But once they reached a certain rate - 35% is what was proposed in the United States - no further deductions could be claimed."nonadultnonadultAlbanese cited Australia Institute research which showed more than 75% of Aussies who earn over $1,000,000 didn't pay any tax and that adopting the policy would raise $2.5 billion each year.
The Labor delegates voted to make the policy part of the party platform.
If elected it might cause a backlash against the ALP from Australia's growing number of millionaires who've used accountants to reduce their large tax bills.nonadultThe ABC's Veteran Political Journalist Has Already Reached Peak Twitterhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/barrie-tweeting-fire?utm_term=4ldqpia
Fire tweeting, following Miley… back at you Barrie!

Whoever said "traditional" "legacy" journalists aren't willing to join the dangerous world of social media obviously didn't tell the ABC's political veteran Barrie Cassidy.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/barrie-tweeting-fireThu, 23 Jul 2015 21:59:47 -0400Fire tweeting, following Miley... back at you Barrie!markdistefanononadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultBill Shorten Has A New Slogan And It's Missing A Crucial Wordhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/advance-australia-what-now?utm_term=4ldqpia
Advance Australia…. and?

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has given a rousing speech at the party's national conference in Melbourne. He also unveiled Labor's new slogan, "Advance Australia"... but wait... is it missing a word?

Tracey Nearmy / AAP

A lot is made of "three word slogans" in politics (Stop the boats, axe the tax etc etc)... so it was bold for Labor to go with two words. Even stranger they decided to use the title of the national anthem and drop the all important word "FAIR".

On the same day it emerged opposition leader Bill Shorten was to embrace the government's hardline "turn back" boat policy, it's understood he's also planning to seriously increase the country's refugee intake.

Stefan Postles / Getty Images

Ahead of this weekend's national Labor conference, Shorten has been laying out a roadmap to next year's election with announcements on climate change, taxation and asylum seekers.

BuzzFeed News understands Shorten will put forward a policy to double Australia's refugee intake from 13,750 to 27,000 per year.

It's good news for refugees and will no doubt be an effort to comfort the left wing of the Labor party.

Lakruwan Wanniarachchi / Getty Images

Members of the left faction are furious with Shorten for adopting the hardline tactics made famous under the current government of towing asylum seeker boats back to their home countries.

"I do think there will be a lot of people this morning asking whether they will be able to vote for Labor," said Labor backbencher and former speaker Anna Burke.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/refugees-to-doubleThu, 23 Jul 2015 02:38:34 -0400Doubling refugee intake &amp; turning back boats.markdistefanononadultnonadultAhead of this weekend's national Labor conference, Shorten has been laying out a roadmap to next year's election with announcements on climate change, taxation and asylum seekers.
BuzzFeed News understands Shorten will put forward a policy to double Australia's refugee intake from 13,750 to 27,000 per year.nonadultnonadultMembers of the left faction are furious with Shorten for adopting the hardline tactics made famous under the current government of towing asylum seeker boats back to their home countries.
"I do think there will be a lot of people this morning asking whether they will be able to vote for Labor," said Labor backbencher and former speaker Anna Burke.nonadultnonadultShorten told <i>Channel 7</i> this morning he'd want the policy on the table going into an election year.
"I think it's important to be honest with my party and the nation and, if I was to form a government, I would want the option of boat turn-backs — where safe to do so — on the table," he said.
Refugee advocates have roundly criticised towing back asylum seeker boats, claiming it puts those fleeing persecution at risk.nonadultAbsolutely Everything Guaranteed To Happen At Splendour In The Grasshttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/splendour-bender-weekender?utm_term=4ldqpia
Someone will lose their voice from yelling, “TUUUUNE”

1. Tens of thousands of people will leave in cars and convoy up/down the coast to Byron Bay.
2. Rich mates will catch flights.
3. More organised people will have bought Jetstar tickets for less than $100.
4. They'll tell everyone about it.
5. One person will have organised a Spotify playlist based solely on music played at the festival.
6. Someone will forget the AUX cord.

7. The trip will be given a name, like "Splendour Weekender".
8. Or "Splendour Bender".
9. Or "The End Of Splendour".
9. It will be hashtagged.
10. Instagram will destroy phone batteries.
11. People will pose with signs on the way up.
12. Highway McDonalds restaurants will see a surge in revenue.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/splendour-bender-weekenderThu, 23 Jul 2015 01:04:46 -0400Someone will lose their voice from yelling, "TUUUUNE"markdistefanononadult1. Tens of thousands of people will leave in cars and convoy up/down the coast to Byron Bay.
2. Rich mates will catch flights.
3. More organised people will have bought Jetstar tickets for less than $100.
4. They'll tell everyone about it.
5. One person will have organised a Spotify playlist based solely on music played at the festival.
6. Someone will forget the AUX cord.nonadultnonadult7. The trip will be given a name, like "Splendour Weekender".
8. Or "Splendour Bender".
9. Or "The End Of Splendour".
9. It will be hashtagged.
10. Instagram will destroy phone batteries.
11. People will pose with signs on the way up.
12. Highway McDonalds restaurants will see a surge in revenue.nonadultnonadult13. Everyone will stop at the Big Banana to take a photo.
14. It'll be uploaded to Instagram.
15. People will forget about the Big Prawn.
16. There'll be roadwork on the Pacific Highway.
17. Triple J will tell you all about the traffic.
18. Probably when you're already stuck in traffic.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadult19. Woolies at Ballina (the River St one) will be the most popular destination of the weekend.
20. Someone will buy too much shitty vodka.
21. And forget the mixers.
22. No worries... people will get used to swigging straight vodka.
23. Too much food will be bought.
24. Bacon and egg rolls, especially.
25. Someone will buy a case of Red Bull.
26. A random mate will tell you all about their special mixer drink.
27. It'll contain Powerade.
28. Or ginger ale.
29. There'll be strong investment in goon bags.
30. Fruity. Lexia.nonadultnonadult31. No one will comply with the ban on booze in the campsite.
32. Staff will find some booze.
33. They'll drink it later that night.
34. Complicated strategies will be developed to hide the booze.
35. Like stashing it in the spare wheel section of the boot.
36. One of your mate's will drive straight in without getting checked.nonadultnonadult37. "Why didn't we think of UDLs?"
38. "Hey what do we do about ice?"
39. Outfits will have been planned for weeks.
40. Gumboots at Big W will have sold out though.
41. Some people will have bought the designer wellies.
42. "Kate Moss wore these."
43. $15 shitty gumboots will do fine. FINE.nonadultnonadult44. One of the Splendour artists will get arrested for drug possession.
45. Or fake arrested.
46. One of the rappers will say something sexist.
47. Or smoke a joint on stage.
48. It'll cause a media ~scandal~.
49. Locals will use it as a chance to campaign against the festival.
50. "Splendour ruins Byron Bay says angry local," will read one headline.nonadultnonadult51. One of the biggest artists will cancel because of a throat illness.
52. It'll "ruin" someone's entire festival.
53. It won't.
54. There'll be deep and frightened conversations about getting drugs into the festival.
55. "How can we get them past sniffer dogs???"
56. "You run as a diversion and then I'll go in."
57. Some blokes will put MDMA in condoms and shelve them.
58. Getting drugs into the festival grounds will be the highlight for some people.
59. The felt hat game will be strong.
60. Someone will wear a native American headress
61. It'll cause a media ~scandal~
62. Despite a ban on selfie sticks, they'll be omnipresent.
63. There'll be a jousting match with selfie sticks involving two blokes with their mates shoulders.nonadultnonadult64. The Tipi Forest will give someone a life-changing bender.
65. "I spent the whole day in the Tipi Forest."
66. People with "developed" music tastes will spend all day at the GW McLennan tent.
67. Country kids, chewing their faces off, won't leave the Mix Up tent.
68. Art Vs Science will bring out inflatable animals.
69. A bloke will try to climb the Mix Up's tent ropes.
70. He'll fall.
71. It'll be caught on video and uploaded to Facebook and it'll be the greatest moment of his life.
72. Azealia Banks will be a total disappointment.
73. White people will make gang signs.nonadultnonadult74. People will really dig on the side stages.
75. "Oh let's go see Q&amp;A with Tony Jones," is a weird thing someone will say.
76. Women of Letters will make some people cry.
77. Comedians will feel like kings.
78. Some random punter will pash Matt Okine on the dancefloor in the Red Bull Music Academy.
79. Except it won't be Matt Okine.nonadultnonadult81. There Will Be Mud.
82. A group will take a photo traipsing through the mud... new Facebook cover photo.
83. Another group will go diving in the mud.
84. They'll be blokes who've just done a line of speed.nonadultnonadult85. People will go to Alison Wonderland instead of Tame Impala and they'll have a great time.
86. Some mid-30s guy will be disappointed Blur didn't play enough old stuff.
87. Mark Ronson will bring out guest vocallists... Tkaiy Madza and Florence Welch at least.
88. Others won't see any music the whole weekend.
89. Mostly having campsite raves.
90. Someone will dent a car by standing on it.
91. At least one dude will keep getting naked.nonadultnonadult92. Someone will keep yelling "TUNE!"
93. Another will think they can do the Major Lazer air horn.
94. "BRRRRAAAAAAAWWWWWN BRAWN bRAwn BRAWN"
95. It'll come to the end of the festival and no one will want it to end.
96. People will feel empty.
97. That will be the body destroyed by drink and drugs.
98. But there'll be incredible memories.
99. And plans will already be made for Falls Festival.nonadultnonadultWe Asked Peter Dutton The Same Question Seven Times And It Pissed Him Offhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/dutton-pls?utm_term=4ldqpia
Does the asylum seeker boat off WA exist?

Refugee advocates say there's between 25-30 Vietnamese Catholic asylum seekers on board and it's been towed away from Dampier by the Australian Navy.

The immigration minister Peter Dutton has refused to explain where the boat is being taken and instead said the government would not comment about "on water matters".

So in the interests of finding out about this group of people (who may be fleeing persecution), we decided to ask Mr Dutton about it over and over again at a pre-arranged government photo opportunity.

The day started with being signed in by an Australian Border Force agent. He had a shiny badge and watched over the process.

Mark Di Stefano / BuzzFeed

When Guardian journalist Paul Farrell told him who he worked for, Mr Border Force joked, "who should I search first?"

Ha ha ha ha... urgh. Good start Mr Border Force.

Then we were shown into a massive hanger for the re-launch of "Border Watch" (the customs officers who search for dodgy drugs and guns on incoming ships and flights). There were lots of high-powered guns.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/dutton-plsWed, 22 Jul 2015 17:49:20 -0400Does the asylum seeker boat off WA exist?markdistefanononadult<a href="http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/authorities-escort-asylum-seeker-boat-off-wa-coast-from-australia-waters-20150721-gigwtm.html">Refugee advocates say</a> there's between 25-30 Vietnamese Catholic asylum seekers on board and it's been towed away from Dampier by the Australian Navy.
The immigration minister Peter Dutton has refused to explain where the boat is being taken and instead said the government would not comment about "on water matters".
So in the interests of finding out about this group of people (who may be fleeing persecution), we decided to ask Mr Dutton about it over and over again at a pre-arranged government photo opportunity.nonadultnonadultWhen <i>Guardian</i> journalist Paul Farrell told him who he worked for, Mr Border Force joked, "who should I search first?"
Ha ha ha ha... urgh. Good start Mr Border Force.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadult*TBCnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultHEAPS cute though.nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultBuzzFeed News: "Can we ask you about the boatload of asylum seekers that are currently off the coast of Dampier in WA, does it exist? And if you're going to say "on water matters" as the reason why you won't, why don't you think the Australian public deserve an explanation of what's going on, off the coast?"
Dutton: "Just a bit of context here. We know that 50,000 people arrived when Labor was in government, 1,200 people tragically lost their lives at sea. We've been able to stop the boats since we've been in government..." (continues to waffle for several more minutes).nonadultBuzzFeed: "If there is a boat do you not concede that 'stop the boats' is not a line you could use, as a successfully policy proposition?"
Dutton: "So the point that I'm making is that we make comment in relation to operational matters when it's appropriate to do so. I'm not going to put lives of our personnel at risk. I'm not going to put the lives of people who try to come to Australia by boat at risk..."nonadultBuzzFeed: "What's going to happen with those Vietnamese asylum seekers though? Are they going to be taken to Nauru? Or are they going to be sent back to Vietnam? Or Indonesia? Where are they going to be sent to?"
Dutton: "...The other point that I would make is that we settle 13,500 refugees a year through the humanitarian program which makes us one of the most generous countries in the world and I think people need to recognize that and be reminded by it. Because we welcome people who come here the right way but we don't want to see people smugglers back in business. Now we turn back boats where it's safe to do so. We have good bilateral relations with countries including Vietnam and elsewhere, where if it's safe to do so, we've met our international obligations and we don't owe people protection, those people will go back to their country of origin. People who seek an economc outcome are not true refugees and just because someone is on a boat doesn't mean someone is a refugee. People understandably would seek a better life for their kids if they're on a low income in a country somewhere within our region, but we settle people through the right way and we settle them in record numbers. That number of 13,750 rose to 18,750 within a couple of years."nonadultBuzzFeed: "How can the government with a straight face say that you've stopped the boats when there are actually boats arriving, you just won't talk about them?"
Dutton: "Well if there are other questions I'm willing to come back to you…"
BuzzFeed: "Why won't you answer that question though?"
Dutton: "I'm happy to come back to that but there are others who might have questions."
BuzzFeed: "It doesn't seem like there are any other questions."
Dutton: "Are there any other questions?"nonadultBuzzFeed: "Do you think that Australian taxpayers deserve an explanation about the Vietnamese asylum seekers that are off the coast of WA?"
Dutton: "If there are any other questions, I'll take those and I'm happy to come back to you."nonadultBuzzFeed: "What's going to happen to the Vietnamese asylum seekers that are currently off the coast of WA?"
Dutton: "Well I don't have any comment to make when it comes to operational matters. But the long standing obligation of the Australian government, is that if we owe protection to somebody we'll meet our international obligations in affording that person protection. If people are here because they're seeking a better life then they're not true refugees. They're economic refugees, then they won't be coming to our country. I've been very clear that screening takes place, if people need to be afforded protection, they'll be afforded that protection. If it is deemed they are not to be afforded that protection then we will make arrangements to return them back to their country of origin. That is the way that the law has operated for a long period of time and nothing changes today or into the future."nonadultBuzzFeed: "Are they economic refugees, the Vietnamese asylum seekers?
Dutton: "I don't have any comment to make in relation to that."nonadultnonadultnonadultBarnesy Just Destroyed Anti-Islam Groups For Using His Musichttp://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/jimmy-barnes-says-no-to-reclaim-australia?utm_term=4ldqpia
Nailed it.

Legendary Aussie musicians John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes have both publicly lashed out at Reclaim Australia after the group used their songs during anti-Islam rallies at the weekend.

Scott Barbour / Getty Images

Farnham and his manager Glenn Wheatley released a statement on Wednesday, saying they were disgusted by the group's use of his most famous song, You're The Voice, over the top of footage shot by ISIS, Fairfax reports.

"I have successfully pulled down the use of You're the Voice from Youtube that these guys have been using," Wheatley said in a statement. "The use was disgusting as it showed the decapitation of those poor souls who lost their lives."

"John and I seriously oppose the use of John's song at the rallies," Wheatley said today. "It no way reflects our support in any way. There are other means to conduct protests. Just don't use our song or Jimmy Barnes' or Lee Kernaghans'."

On Tuesday evening, Barnes wrote a Facebook post, distancing himself from anti-Islam rallies that were held around Australia over the weekend.

Morne De Klerk / Getty Images

The working class man apparently felt compelled to write the post after learning Reclaim Australia rallies were using his 80s Aussie ballads as anthems at recent events.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/jimmy-barnes-says-no-to-reclaim-australiaTue, 21 Jul 2015 08:39:45 -0400Nailed it.markdistefanononadultnonadultFarnham and his manager Glenn Wheatley released a statement on Wednesday, saying they were disgusted by the group's use of his most famous song, <i>You're The Voice,</i> over the top of footage shot by ISIS, <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/john-farnham-disgusted-by-reclaim-australias-use-of-youre-the-voice-20150722-gii2ba.html">Fairfax reports.</a>
"I have successfully pulled down the use of You're the Voice from Youtube that these guys have been using," Wheatley said in a statement. "The use was disgusting as it showed the decapitation of those poor souls who lost their lives."
"John and I seriously oppose the use of John's song at the rallies," Wheatley said today. "It no way reflects our support in any way. There are other means to conduct protests. Just don't use our song or Jimmy Barnes' or Lee Kernaghans'."nonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadult